Sin's Flower

by Carlene Love Flores

  While Benny sat there readying his settings and browsers and windows and such, Jaxon realized he’d just put something major out there. The thought had teased him a few times now. He loved his villa by the beach but what good was paradise if you felt trapped in your own personal hell every minute of every day? While Jaxon wasn’t the most comfy guy stuck under this roof with those he’d let down, he felt a strange kinship with the town. Maybe it was calling him home. Hopefully Stefan, Will and Marion could handle this apparent change of heart.

  “What’s that smirk all about there, mate?” He and Benny sat side by side on the extra-large bed but the only lap the computer was topping was Benny’s. “You don’t trust me with that, do you?”

  “Uh, no and I’m not telling you, uh in the other order.”

  “Okay. Well pull up some sites and I’ll tell you specifics of what we’re looking for.” He would let Benny off the hook for a few minutes while they searched but then they were getting back to the smirk his pal didn’t care to explain.

  “So give me some criteria. Are we talking house, condo, apartment, cabin in the woods?”

  He shot Benny a dirty look for the last suggestion because he’d used his creepy voice to say it. “Let’s shoot for a house, minimum three bedrooms, no make that four.” The mental tally he’d done at first was wrong. He realized he’d need a room for himself and Lily, Maryellie, an office, and Benny. “Okay, so preferably five if we can find it.” The experience here had taught him that an extra room was priceless. And, who knew? As much amazing sex as he planned on having with Lily, one could never be too sure. Not that he planned on making a baby with her, but it could happen. And if it didn’t, fine. They’d have an extra play room he was sure they could find something to do with.

  “Now you’re the one grinning, boss.”

  He smacked Benny in the arm and then tugged him back upright. “Also put in there a pool or at least a lot with enough land to have one built.”

  Benny got hot working his input magic; his fingers flew fast and sure. By the last pause, Benny had found two matches with immediate availability. “Sweet. Let me get the numbers; I’ll give them calls tomorrow. Wait, tomorrow’s Christmas.”

  “Uh okay, boss, but it’s not the stone age. We can just shoot them emails right now if you want. And technically, I believe it’s the wee hours of Christmas day already. Merry Christmas, boss.”

  These were the things that made him feel old—the ability to conduct business at any hour, from any place on earth. “Right, okay let’s do that. Make sure you put in there that I can buy it outright in one lump sum. That ought to persuade them to sell quickly.”

  “Or to think you’re a drug dealer.”

  “Which is a good point. Leave out the part about the lump sum. Just say something clever that lets them know I’m a serious buyer and I’m looking to own ASAP.”

  Benny began composing a very professional looking email to each seller. As he typed, he blew up at his bangs, parting them with his breath. Jaxon watched in admiration.

  “Hey Jaxon?”

  “Yeah mate?”

  “I know it’s none of my business, but is this place just for you and Maryella?”

  “Yes. And for Lily if she’ll have me. And you too, mate. You’ll always have a place with us. You’re like family, you tall ass gangly bugger.” Hopefully Benny picked up on the love that lay under those words. Benny hit send once and then again. “Goody. Now you owe me an explanation for that smirk earlier.”

  “Oh that.”

  Jaxon eyeballed him until he caved.

  “I kind of figured you were looking for a love nest or something and it made me remember that a few weeks ago, Lily had been with us for like two days before you even said hi. It sounded funnier in my head now that I’ve gone and pointed that out though. Sorry.”

  “Hey, it is what it is. Did I uh, did I put on a full-blown asshole show those days I was avoiding her?”

  “Do you really want to know? Aside from the fun of house shopping just now, you seem a little bent tonight, boss.”

  Yeah, talk of Vangie did that to him. “You know me so well. This is why I can never let you go. And yeah, I really want to know.”

  “She cooked three meals a day for us both days. And snacks in between. There was also some laundry she sort of did and you know, minor things like dusting, sweeping, polishing…Oh, and the time I walked outside and found her pulling the stray weeds and putting the pretty rocks that had scattered out back into the landscaping.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah, she’s super short and it was a real stretch to reach those outside windows. Um and that’s not all.”

  “What else could there possibly be? I already feel like I should cut her a check and go groveling on my knees to deliver it with a giant basket of girly stuff.”

  “That whole red head job she pulled that weekend? Not her idea. I sort of mentioned how you weren’t real receptive to blondes and brunettes one night when I was messing around with my hair. I had an extra box of color. We used it on her because we thought maybe you’d give her a chance if she didn’t look so familiar.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me, mate? That whole Leeloo thing was because of me?”

  “Yep. I personally thought she looked real cute, though. Leeloo is super-hot. She’s the perfect woman, you know.”

  “Well hell yeah, Lily looked hot. But we both know that’s beside the point. Shit.”

  “She’s a really great girl, Jaxon. For the record, I hope things work out between you two. And…oh you’re probably gonna have a minute where you feel like strangling me, but I think she’d make a great assistant at the studio. You know, the new one we’d find out here if we move and all. I like her a lot. She’s nice to me. And I really need help, boss.” After that, Benny’s gaze dropped to the midnight blue and dark brown stitching of the comforter they sat on.

  Yes, Jaxon needed a minute to control his breathing.

  It wasn’t that Benny had said anything that wasn’t true or equally appealing to his ears. But the one thing Jaxon could not do was insert Lily into the spot Trissy had left vacant. She could be his woman, his lover, his muse, because Trissy had never been those things to him. But Lily could not be his assistant. No way, no how. No matter how perfect it would be to have her with him on the road and off, always so close by and keeping him company. Not in a million years on this earth, in this lifetime or the next. He could feel his scalp heating which would soon bead up into worried droplets of sweat.

  “Hey, let’s leave the grand planning to me. I have a viable idea going here, mate. It can work for all of us. Me, Lily, the band, you. Your firecracker Erby. Have you forgotten that Loner by is based out of Nashville?”

  “That is true. But it seems like there’s a lotta if involved. If you find a place, if Lily says yes, if the guys agree to relocate.”

  “Benny, my friend, everything we do, everything we’ve always done, has been because of that tiny little word. I haven’t had a good feeling about something working out in a real long time. But this is different. To be honest with you, if I went back for good to California, that would probably be the thing to tear Sin Pointe apart. I can’t get right out there. The music coming out of me, if you can even call it that, is all wrong when I’m there.”

  Benny’s face turned sheepish; he squinted before asking, “Have you written new stuff since we’ve been here?” The skin stretched over his face then spread so wide Jaxon saw Benny’s hairline move back a centimeter or so.

  “Not on paper, but it’s in here.” Jaxon rubbed a circle around the center of his chest. “I can feel it. I think this is home.” Which was the craziest part. He remembered exactly how much he’d dreaded making this visit. He knew it was Lily’s doing.

  “Whatever you need, I’m on it, boss. Where is Lily, by the way?”

  Presumably, she was still at Grace’s and hopefully not hearing things that would spell out The End to the dream life he’d just gone on and on about wit
h Benny. Jaxon knew then and there he’d have to come clean with Lily about that night. As much as he’d like for it to just fade away, he was realistic enough to know his karma would never go that easy on him.

  If Grace was aware of what had happened with Trissy, and had told Lily, then Jaxon would man up and take whatever heat he deserved. But if his dark secrets hadn’t been revealed yet, he vowed that before he left here this week, before he offered his woman a life and a home, Lily would hear the truth directly from his lips.

  He felt content enough to actually get some sleepies so he crawled off the king-size bed, thanked Benny, and pulled the door open. Standing on the other side was Lily. Her face glowed in the dark hall; her adorable crooked smile shaved at least a few layers of his earlier funk off for good. She didn’t appear ready to slap him, so that made him breathe easier. God help him if he fucked this up.

  “Hey baby, whatcha doing here?” He gently pulled the door closed behind him and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. Her nose tasted good like nature on his lips. He should and would plant more kisses there. Life was short; he’d learned that a long time ago but had been brutally reminded of it tonight. He’d think of what to tell Maryellie, if anything, after he’d gotten some rest.

  From a dark shadow behind Lily, Grace stepped to his side and patted him on the arm. Her sudden appearance startled him but he knew he was one of her favorites. Grace never judged a book by its cover, no matter how dinged up, chain-laden or tattooed it was.

  “Hello Son.” He leaned down so she could kiss his cheek. “I missed you. Just wanted to walk Lily back over and see your handsome face.”

  He leaned down further and gave Grace a sincere hug about the shoulders. “Thank you, Grace,” he said full of heart. “Did you want to stay here tonight? You’re welcome to snuggle up on the air bed with Maryellie.”

  “That’s sweet but I think I’ll make my time up with sweetie poo tomorrow. Who knows, you may even want a babysitter in the next day or two.” Grace winked at him and then she turned to face Lily. “Remember what I said dear.” He thought they were done but she held onto his elbow a moment longer. “Oh my, I almost forgot. Must be getting old. Lucky called a few minutes ago. Mom and baby boy are doing okay. The baby is little and will have to stay in the NICU until he can pass all the newborn tests, but Lucky and Trista Jeane will be home as soon as they can. And they’ve asked if we can hold off celebrating Christmas until they’re here.”

  Thank God they would be okay. Maybe the night had taken a good turn. He wouldn’t lie. Familiar angst was flocking back to his conscience over what it was Grace wanted Lily to remember. But when he checked Lily’s face, she appeared spirited and happy. “Wow, that’s great news,” he said. “Another Mason man joins the clan, even if he’s just a little booger.”

  “That makes five of you now, son. Good night kids,” Grace said then turned and made her way to return to her flat.

  Jaxon walked Grace back to her place and then returned once again to Lily’s room. He’d used the short trip to breathe and remember his earlier decision. Tonight was his and Lily's last night before she knew his darkest truth. And then tomorrow, for better or worse, he’d tell her everything.

  * * * *

  If this was the part where someone pinched her and told her she wasn’t really seeing one of the most sought after men in the country who was totally into her for some God only knows reason, she’d return that pinch with a southern goody she’d learned growing up in Oklahoma. They’d get a consolation kiss on the cheek while Lily whispered into their ear that she knew it was crazy, but honey, he was hers and she wasn’t doing any sharing.

  The thought made her smile which caught Jaxon’s attention. He didn’t lick his lips or bite down on them to let her know he wanted her like she’d read in so many of her steamy books. Nope, her guy just opened his mouth and started talking. She was never quite prepared for the things he’d say and she bet this would be no different. One side of his mouth darted up giving him the naughtiest one-sided grin she’d ever seen.

  “Hey baby, about that taste I offered you earlier,” he let out in a warm, low baritone. Of course she couldn’t speak for the awe she felt over being the girl he was talking to. He generally seemed to pick up on this and continued slowly. “I hope you won’t be mad, but you won’t be getting that tonight.”

  What? Again he had her perplexed. “I won’t?”

  As if a loose melody held his head in its musical hands, he bobbed it back and forth to a smooth silent beat, this time taking that delicious pouty lip between his teeth just like in her books. “I decided I get to be the one to taste. I need it more.”

  There was no place else for it to hit her but right at sex’s home base, where his body was made to be inside hers. “You do.” Her entire body quivered.

  “Mmm-hmm. And I promise to be quiet. Although I don’t think I’m the one we have to worry about.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked while he covered them up in the blanket with one hand and slid the other underneath, massaging up and down her rib cage. To her surprise, he left her t-shirt in place.

  He grinned. “My mouth is going to be too busy to be making any noise. You, on the other hand, might want to find your Stefan pillow I know you have in here somewhere and bite down.”

  “Why in the world would I want to bite down on that pillow?”

  “To keep from screaming out how good my tongue feels inside your—”

  “Stop, stop, stop. Okay, you’re going to kill me.”

  He waited a second, probably to gauge her face to see if she really meant stop. She’d help him out there. “I don’t mean stop what you were planning on doing,” she said, feeling the rouge staining her permanently.

  “You said you wanted me to be me.”

  “I do want you to be you, but remember those vocabulary lessons you gave me?” She waited for him to nod. “Well, you’re like a black belt in sexy talk and I’m the girl who just barely walked into the dojo for the first time who’s looking at flyers and admiring trophies. I need a little time to catch up there, sensei.”

  “Sensei. Sounds nice.” His fingers teased her skin, applying pressure and making her squirm. “Lily, I like talking to you.”

  “Me too,” she said, knowing that had come out slightly wrong but unable to correct herself with his lips pressing against hers. With his slow kiss, he released the pent up bunch of nerves he’d created with his scandalous talk and all the pain he’d somehow hidden. “That’s nice,” she let out with an exhale.

  “Shhh, see I told you…”

  He was right; he had told her that she’d be the one to get them in trouble. Her knees squeezed together because she knew where he was going for his taste.

  * * * *

  Usually when a girl’s knees were clamped this tight, it meant it was time to thank her for hanging out and hope for better luck next time. Jaxon didn’t want Stefan’s words stuck in his head right now, especially not with the damn little pillow with his goofy ass face on it in the room. This wasn’t all for one, one for all. He worked her sweat pants down but left them bunched at those locked knees.

  The airspace he breathed was hot, not that he minded. The steamier it got, the more her womanly scent fragranced his body. But he’d been down here under the blanket for a bit now, kissing Lily’s soft, supple skin, admittedly driving her mad with his exploring. He dipped his tongue into her belly button and felt her tummy muscles contract. He smiled to himself. Pulling back and resting his cheek ever so gently against her belly, he waited to feel the rise and fall of her breathing. When he didn’t feel that, he ran a finger up the middle of her ribs and breasts, and gave her a tap. “Lily, breathe.” A second later, he felt her body inhale and exhale. “Thank you baby,” he whispered against her skin, taking a mouthful of flesh from her side and suckling it. If he wanted between those sexy legs, he was gonna have to pull her knees apart himself. In the three decades he’d been having sex, he could honestly say this was a first.
A thrill spun around in his belly as if to celebrate the momentous occasion.

  Moving his lips to her belly button again, he used only the tip of his tongue to circle it while he slid his hand over her womanly thighs. How he adored this woman. Open up for me baby. He thought it again as he spanned her body with his touch. One hand reached under her shirt to hold her by the breast and the other traced the crevice of her clenched thighs slowly up and down. As long as he felt her breathing, he didn’t worry about the time she needed.

  They would get to their destination. She would open up for him.

  With his cheek resting on her belly, he could hear her heart beat, soothing him. He traced his finger down once more but this time drug it all the way down to her nest of soft hairs. Even with her knees closed, he had plenty of access to this very special spot. Maybe she hadn’t realized that because she wiggled her hips when he slid his fingers through her silkiness. The small, extra sensitive nub of flesh peeking out from her cleft was so swollen. He knew what he was doing to her was ecstasy and torture mixed together. His fingering was okay but he knew his true talent lay in what he could do to her with his tongue. If she would only open up for him.

  He waited, savoring her scent and smiling. Without thinking, he began humming the melodies to her songs.

  * * * *

  Lily could swear her lady parts were humming. God how she wanted to open up and accept the gift he was primed and ready to give her. Boy, he’d been down there a long time. He was so expert with his caressing and kissing, she’d nearly drifted to sleep a few times. How long could he stand to be down there? She should check on him to make sure he hadn’t passed out.

  Lily lifted the blanket and held it up a couple feet to allow fresh air to flow downward. “Jaxon, are you still awake?” she whispered. But of course he was because his lips peeled away from her rib cage and he looked up at her with his usual poof of bangs so sexy falling into his eyes.

  “Yes. Are you?” As soon as he asked her that, she felt his fingers slide deeper into her body which made her gasp. “Yes, you are.” He licked her up the center of her rib cage, staring at her the whole way. “You taste so good. I’m ready for more, baby.”